Nnena Kalu

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Over the last two decades, Nnena Kalu has created a large body of sculptural and two-dimensional work and developed a live, performative element to her art practice, creating site-specific installations.

Nnena’s sculptural installations begin with compact ‘cocoons’ of textiles and paper tightly packed in colourful cellophane. Repeated forms then build with extensive binding and wrapping with layers of paper, tape and lines of unspooled VHS tapes. When exhibited these sculptural forms are created live in- situ, being made and remade throughout live installs.

Nnena’s two-dimensional works are sculptural explorations of space dictated by the length and reach of Nnena’s arms, as well as the size of the paper. In the making of these works, which are often produced in pairs, the second an echo of the first, a rhythm is built up and multiple layers constructed. As with Nnena’s sculptural works, the drawings are an exploration of continuous line, shifting and ever-evolving forms.

Exhibitions

Awards

Biography

Nnena has developed her artistic practice at ActionSpace’s studio in Studio Voltaire since 1999 and is an important member of both Studio Voltaire and ActionSpace’s artistic communities. Over 20 years Nnena has created a large body of sculptural and two-dimensional work and developed a live, performative element to her art practice, creating site-specific installations.

Nnena has exhibited nationally and internationally including three major solo exhibitions; an acclaimed solo presentation at Glasgow International in 2018 with Project Ability, ‘Wrapping’ at Humber Street Gallery, Hull in 2019 and Nnena’s first major London solo commission for ‘Elsewhere’ Studio Voltaire’s offsite programme in 2020. Nnena worked live in-situ for all three solo exhibitions, with sculptural forms in continuous production, being made and remade throughout the live installs.

Nnena’s sculptural installations begin with compact ‘cocoons’ of textiles and paper tightly packed in colourful cellophane. Repeated forms are then built with extensive binding and wrapping with layers of paper, tape and lines of unspooled VHS tapes, creating monumental installations.

Nnena received 3 significant awards in 2021 to develop her professional arts practice: the Mark Tanner Sculpture Grant, Paul Hamlyn Awards for Artists and the LOEWE FOUNDATION / Studio Voltaire Award, which awarded Nnena her own studio at Studio Voltaire for two years. Nnena was invited by Yinka Shonibare to create new sculptural work for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2021 and featured in the accompanying BBC documentary. In 2022 Nnena exhibited both sculptural and two-dimensional pieces in the group exhibition, ‘To all the Kings who have no Crowns’ at Carl Freedman Gallery, Margate where Nnena created two large-scale drawing works directly in the gallery during her first live public drawing event.

Nnena’s works on paper are a direct expression of her physical movement. They are sculptural explorations of space dictated by the length and reach of Nnena’s arms, as well as the size of the paper. In the making of these works, which are often produced in pairs, the second an echo of the first, a rhythm is built up and multiple layers constructed. As with Nnena’s sculptural works, the drawings are an exploration of continuous line, shifting and ever evolving forms. Nnena’s first solo drawing installation commission ‘Infinite Drawing’ for Deptford X 2022, presented her drawings as layered, continuous and immersive works. For the Shade Podcast ‘Interludes: Mandala’ Nnena’s intense and rhythmic drawing process was transformed into a soundscape by sound artist Axel Kacoutie. Nnena’s drawings are held in private collections internationally.

Press

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Workshops

 

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